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Midterms bring end of one-party rule

Theotis Robinson Jr., Columnist
Published 12:00 p.m. ET Nov. 9, 2018

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., celebrates a Democratic Party takeover of the House of Representatives during a midterm election night party hosted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on November 6, 2018, in Washington, D.C.(Photo: Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images)

Although the dust has not completely settled from Tuesday’s elections, one outcome is crystal clear: One-party rule in Washington is over. Now comes the hard part. What will it mean?

Barack Obama said, “The very character of this country is on the ballot, who we are is on the ballot, what kind of politics we expect is on the ballot.” Lying through his teeth in his usual manner, Donald Trump claimed, “Democrats are openly encouraging millions of illegal aliens to violate our laws and break into our country and they want to sign them up for free welfare, free health care, free education and of course the right to vote.”

No Democrat -- or anyone else -- has encouraged the thousands of immigrants to head north from Central America to seek a better life. They are not seeking “free welfare.” They are looking for jobs -- ones that in many cases Americans will not perform.

Unemployment is at a historic low. Millions of jobs go unfilled because of labor shortages. Farm jobs. Construction jobs. Service industry jobs. If our economy is to continue to grow, we need a larger workforce. Yet Trump employed rhetoric reminiscent of Lester Maddox and George Wallace, two former racist governors of Southern states, long since relegated to the dust bins of history.

When lies supplant issues as the hallmarks of campaigns, we have sunk to a place where our democracy may not survive. Thankfully, voters rejected fear, hate and racism tactics, rejecting one-party rule in Washington. We should not expect Trump’s assault on objective truth and freedom to end. With Constitutional oversight restored by flipping of the House of Representatives, Trump will likely double down on his lies.

When winning at any cost, when the ends justify the means and the tactics, victory rings hollow. Nationalism is not the same as patriotism. It is a perversion of patriotism. When trotted out as synonymous, it threatens liberty. With the production of a White House political ad so racist and xenophobic that even Fox would not air it, the abandonment of the moral authority of Trump’s presidency is complete. Despite the low unemployment rates, a majority of Americans believe the nation is on the wrong track -- a reflection on the current occupant of the White House.

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Theotis Robinson(Photo: Paul Efird/News Sentinel)

Thanks to a repudiation of Trumpism, Democrats are now in control of the House. With that comes the constitutional power of oversight, including investigative and subpoena authority. The acquiescence of the role of Congress will now change. But Democrats need to be cautious and prudent. Rather than launching high-profile investigations into abuses of power by the Trump administration, Democrats should enable Special Counsel Robert Mueller to continue his investigation into wrongdoing by the Trump presidential campaign.

Far from overplaying their hand, the House should work with the Senate to protect Mueller by passing legislation to shield the investigation from those who would like to see him fired. Given that Democrats now control the House, Mueller’s firing has been rendered unlikely.

Under the leadership of presumed Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrats should move to strengthen the protections for pre-existing conditions under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), lower the costs of prescription drugs and bolster the financial underpinnings of the ACA. They should protect Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. And they should move immediately to restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act that were gutted by the Republican Supreme Court. The assault on the right to vote must end.

Tim Burchett is cheer by the crowd as he makes his appearance at the Knox County GOP election party on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 after winning the 2nd District U.S. House seat. Saul Young/News Sentinel

Incumbent Jason Zachary is congratulated after winning the State House District 14 race at the Knox County GOP election party on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at the Crown Plaza Hotel. Saul Young/News Sentinel

Martin Daniel addresses the crowd at the Knox County GOP election party on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Republican incumbent narrowly retained his seat with 51.48 percent of votes. Saul Young/News Sentinel

Tim Burchett receives a congratulatory kiss from wife Kelly Burchett before making his appearance at the Knox County GOP election party on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at the Crown Plaza Hotel. Saul Young/News Sentinel

Joe Underwood watches as poll number come in on his phone during the Knox County Democratic Watch Party at The Standard in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Justin Lafferty shakes hands with Martin Daniel at the Knox County GOP election party on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at the Crown Plaza Hotel. Daniel retained his seat in State House District 18 and Laffery won State House District 89. Saul Young/News Sentinel

Renee Hoyos gives her concession speech during the Knox County Democratic Watch Party at The Standard in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel, Knoxville News Sentinel

Republican Eddie Smith is hugged by Becky Duncan Massey, R-Knoxville as Smith arrives for the Knox County GOP election party to give his concession speech with wife Lanna Keck on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at the Crown Plaza Hotel. Saul Young/News Sentinel

Renee Hoyos gives a supporter a hug after conceding the race during the Knox County Democratic Watch Party at The Standard in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Rep. Bill Dunn shakes hands with Dave Wright at the Knox County GOP election party on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at the Crown Plaza Hotel. Wright has won the State House District 19 race. Saul Young/News Sentinel

Jy'Zayiah Davis, 9, of Knoxville, wears "I Voted" Tennessee stickers on his face while at Fair Garden Elementary School while his mom votes on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean, right, shakes hands with James Sutton, 9, as father Bo Sutton, left, watches, outside of Bearden High School on Election Day in Knoxville on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Voters stand in line to check in at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Danh Dang voting at the 65-E precinct at Shoreline Church where they were using paper ballots and lanterns Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Makeshift ballot booths were created until power was restored and the regular electronic voting booths could be used. Michael Patrick/News Sentinel

Nakia Scott, of Knoxville, shares a laugh with Joanne Dixon after voting at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Voters check in to vote at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Election Official Joanne Dixon, of Knoxville, poses for a photo with her "I Voted" stickers on her eyebrows at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Voters cast their ballots at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Election Official Liz Waymon sorts through paperwork at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tyler Hammond, 7, excitedly waves to his brother as his mom Meredith votes next to him, at the Crown College polling place in Powell on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

A voter casts their ballot at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Voters arrive at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Dorothy Sharon, left, and election official Joanne Dixon, right, both from Knoxville, pose for a photo after voting at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

A voter casts their ballot at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

A Renee Hoyos supporter wears a pin at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Kenneth Carter, of Knoxville, checks in to vote at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Voters turn out at Fair Garden Elementary School on Election Day in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters were voting for Tennessee's next governor, U.S. senator, congressional representatives and dozens of state lawmakers. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Thoughtful legislation needs to be fashioned to address the nation’s requirements for improved infrastructure. The nation’s highways, airports, railways, broadband internet access, aging pipelines, clean water and sewage systems should be front and center. Coupled with that should be a corresponding increase in the minimum wage so that working families can escape poverty.

Finally, the passage of common-sense immigration laws that deal with the nation’s need to secure our borders is essential. It is unconscionable that a nation of immigrants would suddenly throw up a stop sign reading, “No immigrants should apply.”

Let’s not be distracted by White House spin that Trump prevailed in Tuesday’s election. There is a new day in America.

Theotis Robinson Jr. is a freelance writer, former Knoxville City Council member and retired vice president of equity and diversity of the University of Tennessee. He may be reached at thewriteone7@comcast.net.